Parties to Ukraine conflict agree to withdraw weaponry by 20 February

MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) – The parties to the conflict in Ukraine agreed to withdraw heavy weaponry by 20 February, OSCE special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik told the media on 15 February, BelTA has learned.

“The attention of today's meeting was focused on the issues pertaining to full observance of the ceasefire, the withdrawal of weapons and forces and the protection of civilians and vital infrastructure, including through the development of so-called security zones around them. An agreement was reached to withdraw heavy weaponry, which is subject to the Minsk agreements, before 20 February,” said Martin Sajdik.

In his words, the statement adopted by the trilateral contact group during the previous meeting with a call for the conflicting parties to fully cease fire and withdraw the weapon systems helped ease tensions and reduce military activities in the conflict zone.